Cheap bus tickets from Minneapolis to Des Moines
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Bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 19 intercity buses per day from Minneapolis to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines usually takes around 9 hours and 6 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 5 hours.
- Distance
- 234 mi (377 km)
- Shortest duration
- 5h
- Cheapest price
- CHF 37.58
- Trips per day
- 19
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 2
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Minneapolis to Des Moines Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Minneapolis to Des Moines (Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Minneapolis to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Des Moines cost about CHF 46 when you book at the cheapest time, 7 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than CHF 46 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Minneapolis to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from CHF 58 to CHF 72. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 30, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at CHF 60.
Average bus ticket prices from Minneapolis to Des Moines by month
Taking the bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only CHF 61. If you're planning to take the bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines during June, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 68. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to CHF 29.62 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Minneapolis to Des Moines that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 18 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 18 | 9h 13m | CHF 62.52 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 5h 30m | CHF 109.85 |
Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Minneapolis to Des Moines with ticket prices as low as CHF 37.58.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines
There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Minneapolis to Des Moines every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Trips per day
19
Direct trips
4
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 6 minutes to cover the 234 miles from Minneapolis to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Distance (mi)
234
Distance (km)
377
The first bus leaves at 9:30 AM and the last bus leaves at 9:45 PM. To see the times for all buses from Minneapolis to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
9:30am
Latest bus
9:45pm
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Des Moines, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
Most crowded
Thursday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Minneapolis



Situated along the bank of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Minneapolis is one of the biggest and most exciting cities to visit in the Midwest. It is home to the Chain of Lakes, where you can swim, fish, boat and even bike or walk along the lakeside trails. It’s no wonder Minneapolis is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities!
Although it's known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has a lot more to offer than gorgeous lakes, wetlands, and waterfalls. Shopaholics can spend days getting lost in the Mall of America, which boasts over 500 stores and an indoor theme park. If you're visiting Minneapolis on a romantic vacation, Minneapolis' bustling theater district offers excellent date nights from dozens of theater companies. Or, for a less musical and more brews-ical date option, head to one of 62 top-rated breweries in the #2 best city in America for craft beer.
Minneapolis can be visited in any season, but keep in mind that it becomes a frigid, snowy destination in the winter. January hovers around 0° Fahrenheit, but it's worth bundling up to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or hockey and ice skating on any of the 13 lakes in the city. Have we mentioned how great the lakes are?
If you're visiting both of the Twin Cities, you can take public transport from downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul in about 30 minutes. Public transit also connects downtown to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Thanks to bus stations throughout Minneapolis, traveling by bus is the easiest way to arrive directly in the middle of the action and begin your adventure.
Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa and the most populous city in the state. It has been named the third-largest insurance capital in the world because of its relevance in the US insurance industry. Des Moines is home to historic landmarks, especially in the East Village area. These include the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building. Art lovers can visit the Des Moines Art Center, which has notable contemporary collections, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a pedestrian space with public attractions. Des Moines also has spots for outdoor adventures, like the Blank Park Zoo, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Living History Farms.
Des Moines offers diverse places for entertainment, like the Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel, and the Salisbury House & Gardens, a concert venue in a 1920s manor. In the heart of the city is Downtown Des Moines, which has different attractions and entertainment venues, festivals and concerts, shopping spots, sports teams, restaurants, bars, and breweries.
It's very easy to access Des Moines when you're traveling by bus. Over a hundred neighboring cities offer bus lines to the city, powered by companies like Jefferson Lines, Tornado Bus, Burlington Trailways, and El Expreso Bus. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority also provides bus routes throughout the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Minneapolis?
Main departure station: U of MN - Huron Blvd
Buses to Des Moines leave from 5 stations in Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- U of MN - Huron Blvd
- 516 2nd Ave North
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- 1 Veterans Drive
- Tienda La Mexicana (MN)
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
- Diversity Insurance Inc
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis?
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